Shin Eun-jeong, third from left, with executive members of K-SSOM, a volunteer group of models, at its launch ceremony in February. / Courtesy of K-SSOM

By Kim Bo-eun

Models are usually associated with glitz and glamor, but many also have big hearts.

Shin Eun-jeong, 54, a former model and now a model agency director, began doing volunteer work with other models a few years ago.

Initially, it was a social gathering in which members met for food and drinks.

"When we were young, we were busy with our careers," said Shin Eun-jeong, director of K-SSOM. "But after getting married and starting families, it occurred to us that we could be doing something more meaningful when we met up."

This is how Korea's first volunteer group for models started. What was a gathering of six people grew into a 100-member group. The organization held a launch ceremony in February. Last October, it received a certificate from the Seoul Metropolitan Government.

So far, the group has mainly been working with the elderly in facilities — serving them meals, cleaning for them and taking them on outings.

"Last summer, we took them to watch the film Operation Chromite. Because many of them don't get to go outside often due to physical limitations, they were really happy," Shin said.

"As most of our members are women, we had a hard time pushing the wheelchairs but it felt great to see them having a good time."

This year, K-SSOM plans to work more with orphanages and teenagers.

In April, the group visited a middle school to introduce students to modeling careers and teach them about correct posture and ways to enhance their attractiveness.

The models told students, who are at a highly self-conscious age, that looking good is not only about applying makeup and getting the right hairstyle, but also about posture, gestures and facial expressions.

"We got a great reaction from students because they have a lot of interest in this field," Shin said.

"It was more meaningful because we were able to provide assistance to students based on our careers."

K-SSOM plans to continue meeting teenagers to help them with body image and self-esteem issues.